Ncr Corporation

David C May

Kenneth A Nicoll

Robert J Suttie

Alexander W Logie

A reader (20) for a magnetic card for an automated teller machine (40) or other self-service financial terminal comprises a magnetic reading head (22), a wave shaper (26), and a data memory (28) to supply card-related data to a central authorization position. A wave shape monitor (30) is preset with a threshold amplitude, and detects the amplitude of analogue signals from the wave shaper; if the signals are readable but below the threshold level, the same magnetic reading head (22) or a different magnetic head (34) is instructed to rewrite the magnetic data on the card.

Magnetic card reader

A card alignment mechanism for an integrated circuit contact (ICC) card (30) has first and second arms (12,14) biased towards each other about the same pivot point (16) by a spring (24). One arm (12) carries a card read head (18), the other arm (14) carries a card stop lip (20). A solenoid (28) rotates the arms about the pivot point (16); the card stop lip (20) on the second arm (14) contacts the card (30), and the first arm (12) continues to rotate until the spring (24) is fully compressed, when the card read head (18) is correctly positioned with respect to the card. When the mechanism is incorporated in an automated teller machine (ATM), the arms (12,14) can be retracted to their rest position, and the card (30) moved past the mechanism to a card capture bin (45) without restriction.

Card reader/writer with pivoting read/write contact head

A card sensor to operate the entry shutter (120) of an ATM 50 as a magnetic sensor (118) in a well (116) on the lower surface of an entry slot (110). A pair of inverted U-shaped springs (134) project into the slot (110) beyond the sensor (118). When a card (113) complying with ISO standard 7810 is inserted into the slot, the springs (134) are compressed, the magnetic stripe (132) on the card (130) contacts the sensor (118), and the shutter (120) is opened. If a thinner card, such as a telephone card or a public transport ticket (140), is inserted into the slot, the springs (134) are compressed insufficiently for any magnetic stripe (142) on the card to contact the sensor (118).

Magnetic card sensor for sensing presence of a card having a magnetic

The invention relates to a card reader system (10) including a detector (58') for determining a predetermined irregular mode of operation of the reader system. The invention is characterized by a card invalidation device (21, 24, 26) operable to render a card (2) permanently non-usable in response to the detection of the predetermined irregular mode of operation.

Card reader system including an invalidating device

A shutter mechanism (40) for a self-service transaction terminal (10) includes a shutter in the form of a hollow cylinder (42) having a slot (46). The shutter (42) is rotatable about a core member (44) from an open position wherein the slot (46) is aligned with a card entry slot (24) in the terminal (10) to a closed position wherein the slot (46) is aligned with a feed path (90) along which a card (70) may be fed to a reader/writer (94). The core member (44) is provided with a slot (78) and card feed rollers (60,62). When the card (70) is fed reversely after processing, the shutter (42) rotates from the closed to the open position where the user can withdraw the card (70). The shutter construction prevents unauthorized access to the card reader/writer (94) via the card entry slot (24) of the terminal (10).

Shutter mechanism for card controlled self-service transaction terminal

A shutter control mechanism for controlling the movement of a pivoted shutter (20) suitable for controlling the passage of a user's card (6) in a self-service terminal (10) such as an ATM (automated teller machine), for example, includes a rotatable cam (23) having a cam track (24) which cooperates with a pin (30) on the shutter (20). Rotation of the cam (23) causes the pin (30) to move in the cam track (24) thereby causing the shutter (20) to pivot to open and close the card passage (2) alternately. Thus, the shutter (20) is held positively both in the open and in the closed position.

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Fife, United Kingdom

David C May